UEL and NISAU forge blueprint for global student success
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Published
21 October 2025
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The University of East London (UEL) and the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) have signed a sector-first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a new model of collaboration to strengthen the welfare, employability and success of Indian students in the UK.
The partnership establishes a strategic framework to design and deliver initiatives that enhance equity, inclusion and opportunity for international learners, and provide practical support from pre-arrival through to post-graduation, aligned with the India-UK “living bridge” strategy.
The MoU was signed on 17 October at the University’s Stratford Campus by Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL Vice-Chancellor and President, and Sanam Arora, Chairperson of the NISAU. The signing was witnessed by The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability; The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Member of the UK House of Lords and Virendra Sharma, former MP of Ealing Southall and Patron of NISAU.
The partnership establishes a framework for best practice in international student engagement and education, skills and inclusion – a model that universities worldwide may look to replicate as a blueprint for inclusive and globally minded education.
Professor Broderick said,
Internationally mobile Indian students make a hugely positive contribution to UEL and the wider UK community. At a time when the role of international students in higher education is under scrutiny, it is vital that we reaffirm our support and celebrate the global perspectives they bring.
Our collaboration with NISAU builds on UEL’s long-standing partnerships across India - from our research and innovation collaborations to our growing alumni network and our pioneering India Industry Advisory Board - all focused on preparing students for global success."
Miss Arora said,
“We are delighted to partner with the University of East London in this milestone agreement. Together, we will work to ensure Indian students and graduates not only achieve academically but also feel a true sense of belonging during their time in the UK.
This partnership reflects NISAU’s broader mission to build a globally respected framework for student welfare and employability - one that can be adopted by institutions around the world as the next phase of international education collaboration.
Aligned with the ambitions of the UK–India Vision 2035, it strengthens the people-to-people pillar of our nations’ partnership - turning that vision into practical action that empowers students, enhances skills, and deepens collaboration across education and innovation.
By combining NISAU’s advocacy and networks with UEL’s student-centred ethos and careers-first focus, we can provide valuable lessons for universities across the world on how to champion international learners and celebrate their contribution.”
Through its collaboration with NISAU, UEL is strengthening its position as a globally engaged, careers-first university committed to supporting learners from all nations. The partnership reflects UEL’s broader engagement with India, which includes:
- Close collaboration with the five largest recruiters of UEL graduates - Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, HSBC, Tech Mahindra, and Infosys - to co-design skills pathways and support graduate employability.
- Pioneering research and social impact collaborations in health, sustainability, and inclusion - from the Sugarcrete® partnership with Chemical System Technologies, which built a school near Delhi and created jobs for women, to UEL’s ORNATE India and Naandi Foundation projects advancing healthcare and menstrual dignity.
NISAU brings more than a decade of experience in supporting and empowering Indian students and amplifying their voice on the global stage. Through its nationwide welfare network, policy partnerships, and initiatives celebrating Indian achievers in the UK, NISAU continues to turn the “Living Bridge” from a vision into a vibrant, student-led reality.
Together, UEL and NISAU aim to set a new benchmark for global student engagement and international collaboration, contributing to the strength of the India-UK educational partnership and the shared goal of inclusive, future-focused education.
Image: From left to right, The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability; The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Member of the UK House of Lords; Virendra Sharma, former MP of Ealing Southall and Patron of NISAU; Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL Vice-Chancellor and President; and Sanam Arora, Chairperson of the NISAU.